Sports, fans taking hits from COVID-19

What began as a pneumonia phenomenon without any explainable causes in China has now spread worldwide. The COVID-19 virus has now been dubbed a pandemic, and is affecting every aspect of the population’s livelihoods.

Due to the request of social distancing, and attempting to abated the spread of the virus, many sports events have been cancelled.

As of March 12, 2020, many of the professional sports seasons were either postponed or cancelled.

The National Basketball Association set the precedent by suspending the games until further notice. This decision was not one taken lightly. It came after Utah Jazz Rudy Gobert tested positive for the virus before the team was slotted to play the Oklahoma Thunder.

The National Hockey League suspended the 2019/2020 regular season. In a press conference, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said there is concern “that some members of the NHL community would test positive at some point.”

The Canadian Hockey League also suspended play in three of its leagues.

The Major Soccer League and United Soccer League both suspended play for at least 30 days.

Major League Baseball cancelled spring training and posponed opening day for at least two weeks.

The NCAA March Madness basketball tournaments were also cancelled.

FIFA, the world soccer governing body postponed the South America qualifying matches for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

The 2020 Masters golf tournament was also cancelled.

Even the Boston Marathon took a hit. The even was originally scheduled for April 20, however, it has been postponed till September.

NASCAR postponed the race at the Atlanta Motor Speedway, and the Homestead-Miami Speedway races.

Even though some fans criticized NASCAR for the postponement – claiming the drivers are fine because they are encased their cars – most fans are supportive of the decision. It is not just the drivers who could be suceptible to the virus, the fans even more so.

World Wrestling Entertainment has even taken precautions from the COVID-19. The last few shows have continued, however, no fans were allowed in the arena. It was a taped event to be aired on television. The goal for Vince McMahon is to follow the same protocol for Wrestlemania, the largest wrestling event in the world.

In a press release, McMahon announced that Wrestlemania 36 will continue on, just not at the original location. It will be aired from the Orlando training facility, without any fans in attendance.